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Selective mutism: The power of words

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 April 2020

V. Santos
Affiliation:
Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Department of Paediatric Hospital of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
V. Domingues
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Coimbra University Hospital, Coimbra, Portugal

Abstract

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Background and aims:

Selective mutism is an acquired disorder of interpersonal communication in which the child refuses or withholds the speech in some circumstances while displays normal speech in other situations. It is a relatively rare disorder and it appears to be slightly more common in girls than boys. Different etiological explanations have been hypothesized and we often find comorbidity with other psychiatric pathology. However the most frequent association occurs with social phobia, with values of 90 to 100% of comorbidity being referred in some studies.

Methods and Results

The authors undertook a review on this subject, focusing on different aetiology approaches, including genetics, temperamental, psychological, developmental and social conceptualizations. Issues concerning assessment and treatment were explored as well. They point out the importance of an integrative approach of the several theories described, in order to understand the complexity of the pathology and consequently achieve more accurate treatment strategies.

Conclusions:

Although rare, selective mutism deserves particular attention because this condition can have dramatically negative effects on social and educational functioning in childhood reflecting later in adult life.

Type
Poster Session 2: Bipolar Disorders
Copyright
Copyright © European Psychiatric Association 2007
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